The multi-talented Bruno Mars, whose infectious hits like “Uptown Funk,” “24K Magic,” and “Just the Way You Are” have topped charts worldwide, is purportedly entangled in a mammoth $50 million debt to MGM Resorts International, stemming from alleged excessive gambling losses. This startling revelation comes from insider sources cited by NewsNation.
Mars, who inked a lucrative multi-year residency deal with MGM in 2016 to perform at the Park MGM resort on the Las Vegas Strip, is said to have amassed this colossal debt while indulging in high-stakes poker games at the casino’s tables.
“He owed millions to the MGM,” a Vegas insider bluntly told NewsNation, with another source alleging that the debt could be a staggering $50 million or more.
According to the insider’s claims, despite earning a staggering $90 million annually from his MGM deal, Mars’ take-home pay is allegedly whittled down to a mere $1.5 million per night after taxes and repaying his debt. “They basically own him,” the source added ominously, painting a picture of the singer being financially beholden to the casino giant.
As part of Mars’ contract with MGM, he was reportedly tasked with creating The Pinky Ring, an upscale cocktail lounge inside the iconic Bellagio Resort, with another undisclosed project also in the works.
The 38-year-old singer-songwriter, known for his electrifying stage presence and impeccable showmanship, has been candid about his love for gambling in the past. In a 2013 interview with GQ’s Chris Heath, Mars reminisced about his early days at the Commerce Casino in Los Angeles, long before he achieved global stardom.
“I used to be like a loudmouth. You know the guy; people would want to take his money. If you do get them to lose, they’re out for you; they’re gunning for you,” Mars said, revealing his competitive streak at the poker table. “And that’s when they’re weak. And that’s when you jump or pounce on them.”
Mars also opened up about the first time he visited a casino when he was just 19 years old, recalling the adrenaline rush and subsequent disappointment. “I remember my first bet; my hand was shaking, and a guy called me out on it and embarrassed me,” he admitted, revealing that he lost a hundred dollars he couldn’t afford to lose. “You gotta lose. You just have to lose to win, to understand.”
During his appearance on the Late Late Show with James Corden for the popular “Carpool Karaoke” segment in 2016, Mars briefly revealed that he was able to make rent while living in Los Angeles by playing cards “for a little while.”
While the reported debt figures seem astronomical and potentially career-crippling, it’s crucial to note that these claims are based on unnamed sources and have not been officially confirmed or denied by Mars or MGM Resorts International. The casino giant has remained tight-lipped on the matter thus far.
If proven true, this massive debt could have far-reaching consequences for the acclaimed artist’s future endeavors and financial stability, casting a shadow over his otherwise meteoric rise to fame and success in the music industry.
